Xie Zhinuan pursed her lips upon hearing this, "It is indeed a bit unpleasant sounding. As for your names, allow me to ponder on it!"
Looking at Shitou, "Actually, your name, Shitou, is quite good as well. Stone, signifies resilience, ’forged through thousands of hammers and chisels from the deep mountains, not flinching even in raging fires, fearing neither being crushed to dust nor shattered to pieces, only wishing to maintain purity in the mortal world.’ There’s no need to change it at all!"
"..." Shitou was somewhat taken aback.
In fact, he didn’t really understand the verses that Xie Zhinuan recited. He only heard the last seven words, wishing to maintain purity in the mortal world!
Purity...
"Don’t overthink it. You all can choose your own names once you have established a father-son relationship and he teaches you to read and write. Then you can pick a name by yourselves, and the significance will be different," Xie Zhinuan stood up, came forward, and patted Shitou’s shoulder. "People cannot choose their own parents. Whether it’s you, me, or everyone in Dazhou Kingdom, no one can decide their own birth. But we can choose what kind of person to become, whether to be good or evil, which are just momentary choices and decisions. However, as men, I believe we should stand tall and upright, with honesty and openness. Even if not to win the world’s praise, at least one should be able to hold one’s head up to heaven, kneel without shame to earth, and act without regret to oneself. When you’ve achieved these three things, whether your name is Amao or Agou isn’t so important anymore!"
Xie Zhinuan’s voice was very soft.
She smelled wonderful.
That fragrance gently wafted into his chest, merging into his marrow and deep into his soul.
It was a warm feeling, pulled by a sense of kinship.
Shitou lifted his head, his eyes slightly reddened, looking at Xie Zhinuan as if wanting to say something. He opened his mouth and tears fell from the corners of his eyes.
Watching him, Xie Zhinuan’s heart softened a bit too.
These children were indeed pitiable.
As she raised her hand to wipe his tears, Shitou already turned his head away and clumsily wiped his tears with his hand.
Xie Zhinuan felt a bit helpless and let her hand fall.
"Alright, your bodies are fine, it’s just that you haven’t eaten well before. I will prescribe some medicine for deworming for you to take, and with a few days of recuperation, that should do it!"
Children, so young and tender, had not had the good fortune to eat well before. Now, caring for them was going to be quite straightforward.
Upon hearing that there were worms in their bellies, the children were terrified.
A few of the girls even couldn’t help crying out loud.
"It’s not a big deal, and there’s no need for you to be scared!" Xie Zhinuan comforted them a few words and then let Shitou take them back first.
Shitou nodded and led the way. The children immediately followed, calling out in soft voices, "Brother Shitou!"
"Brother Shitou..."
As for what they said, Xie Zhinuan didn’t bother to listen. After all, the children had their own little secrets among themselves.
As an adult, it was not necessary for her to know or participate.
"What are they having for each meal now?" Xie Zhinuan asked Aunt Chen.
"One meat dish, two vegetable dishes, one soup, either steamed buns or rice, and plain rice porridge in the morning!"
"Hmm, that’s quite good. There is no need to be overly extravagant. Also, regarding the meat, it shouldn’t always be pork. They should also eat chicken, duck, and fish!"
Aunt Chen quickly agreed, thinking about notifying the kitchen later.
Dugu Zhen really didn’t care about these trivial matters. After taking the pulse, he left.
Xie Zhinuan thought further and said, "As for the old master, his diet should be richer and more delicate, snacks and such should not be lacking!"
"For the children, divide it into two parts a day, and give them candy every other day!"
After hearing this, Aunt Chen couldn’t help but sigh, "Why must you be so good to them, young miss? The origins of these children... You show them kindness, but they might not appreciate it. They might even harbor resentment toward you in their hearts!"